Can make Lukaku stick around

keep our best players because we need them to make the next step.

“The final decision is normally made by the player. Rom is different because we speak about a two-year contract, but the final decision is by the board.”

Dominic CalvertLewin gave Everton an early lead but Hull rolled their sleeves up to more than match the hosts.

However, after Tom Huddlestone’s 73rdminute red card for a tackle on Idrissa Gueye, Everton took charge.

Enner Valencia clipped home just 69 seconds after coming on before Lukaku twisted the knife in injury-time, scoring twice from close range.

The win was Everton’s sixth straight league victory on home soil and they have their eye on a strong finish to the season – and potentially a Europa League spot. But for now, Everton are concentrating on backto-back clashes against their two biggest rivals.

Koeman added: “We play Liverpool away and Manchester United away, but still we have the chance to make the next step and be closer to the teams above us in the table.”

Hull can take some heart from this showing but the red card was a blow they could not recover from. Defender Curtis Davies accepts they need to improve – and quickly.

“We were playing some good stuff. We were one down but still in the game,” he said. “Then everything collapses. It was our own downfall. Our game management has to be better.

“We need to do more at home, then pick up points here and there. We felt if we did things right here we could get something. But towards the end it went to pot.”

EVERTON (4-3-1-2):